Exceptional transport in Italy concerns the transport of those goods that exceed the prescribed limits in terms of mass or gauge. The rules of the road are very strict, and the size of the goods is important, especially if they are transported for a long time on a particular route.
Trasporti Virdò provides a service for the transport of loads exceeding the prescribed dimensions, with specific trucks for exceptional transport, in order to carry out the transfer in accordance with the law on Anas roads and highways and beyond.
In fact, for exceptional transports on Anas highways, but also on Fvg roads or Veneto roads, to give examples, there is a need for some specific authorizations. This argument applies to all special transport on Autostrade per l’Italia.
The transportation of an exceptional load must be done in total safety, it is the driver’s job to make sure, with professionalism, that all relevant directions and rules are followed.
One must assess the size of the item to be transported, the time available for delivery, and the final destination so that the route and the best way to properly carry out the transport can be determined.
Exceptional transport and the highway code
Exceptional transport in Italy is regulated by Article 10 of the
Highway Code
, which makes a distinction between “exceptional vehicles” (art. 61 and 62) that exceed the limiting dimensions of gauge and mass, and “transport in exceptional conditions.”
The latter case refers to those indivisible loads that exceed the dimensions stipulated in the Highway Code, but also loads that protrude from the vehicle and exceptional objects.
Taking into account the type of convoy, its size, and the stretch of road to be traveled, it is necessary to have an exceptional transport technical escort that signals the presence of the oversize vehicle.
This is to alert motorists on the road of the truck‘s arrival so that they can move to let it pass without risk.
Exceptional transport includes loads with dimensions greater than:
- 4 meters high
- 16.50 meters in length for cars and tractors, 18.75 meters for trucks
- 2.55 meters wide or 2.60 in the case of temperature-controlled transport
- 18-20 tons for isolated two-axle vehicles or 24-44 for articulated convoys of 3 to 5 or more axles
The rules for carrying out exceptional transport
For exceptional transport on roads and highways it is necessary to obtain a mandatory permit, this allows you to avoid penalties and damage to the road or become a dangerous to other vehicles on the road.
To obtain exceptional transportation permits, it is best to contact a specialized transportation company; the process takes about 15 days. The resulting document might also state a precise route to follow or a list of roads to choose from.
After obtaining authorization for exceptional transportation on highways and choosing the route to be taken, you can proceed with the transportation of the goods.
One must, however, also take into account the hours, in fact, there are some roads where exceptional transport trucks can move only at certain times, more precisely after noon from Saturday until Monday.
There are also cases where the truck is asked to perform the transport at night, particularly if the route to be taken includes city streets or, with high traffic flow.
